The Heaton File

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)

What Do You Know About Jesus?

Joseph was very concerned about his young bride because she was pregnant and there was no plausible reason for that to happen. As he pondered his plight, the angel Gabriel came to him reassuring him of something that was impossible was possible. Mary was with child of the Holy Spirit and it was according to the will of God. The virgin birth of Jesus was the hallmark of God’s redemptive power to bring salvation to all men. No other man had been brought into the world as Jesus and it would never be repeated again. This was a single miracle of the hand of God profound in its implications. The story of Jesus began in this fashion and in accordance with the completed days of birth Jesus became a man. As a baby he had to learn how to sit up, and then crawl and finally standing alone began learning how to walk. Joseph and Mary taught him how to form words and sing the words of holy writ. His earliest memories would be of the far away land of Egypt where his parents lived for a few years. Jesus learned to work in his father’s carpentry shop in Nazareth along with his half-brothers and half-sisters. He studied, played, worked around the home, marveled at the sun, moon and stars and became enthralled with the Temple of God in the city of Jerusalem. His life was as common as any boy growing up in Galilee but uncommon. At the age of thirty years, he left home and began a three year ministry of teaching, healing all diseases, challenging the religious leaders of his day and while his mother watched, died along with two condemned men on a hill outside the city of David. While his death was not uncommon or his burial, the truth his tomb was found empty and many witnesses saw him alive for many days was the miracle of all time. He now rules from his place with the heavenly Father and will until the end of time.

Thirty-three years is not a long life but no man ever filled the pages of history as Jesus did in his short life. Even more remarkable is what he accomplished in a span short of three years. His life changed the world, his teaching molded a new world, and his death reverberates through every generation. The words of Jesus shocked the world. His teaching was unlike anything man had ever known. He showed through the power of miracles that he was the son of God. Untold disciples followed him and would be willing to give their lives because of the solitary life of one man – Jesus of Nazareth. No man spoke as this Jesus. In all of the long history of man has one life changed the world as the man from Galilee who died on a Roman cross. His story is denied by many, the truths of his teaching challenged and the possibly of resurrection scoffed as impossible. Yet the life of one man continues to remain the same – remarkably true and without flaw. All the critics in the two thousand years since his story first splashed across the headlines of history have been silenced because his story is real and it is eternally true. Jesus is real and his story is the message of a compassionate God who loved the world so much he allowed them to kill him so that in his death he could save all men.

There is no doubting his story. Four gospels cover the life of Jesus as revealed by the Holy Spirit. Most of what Jesus did in his life is not recorded. The four gospels contain a fragment of his words, deeds, miracles and teachings. God carefully selected the parts of Jesus’ life to tell men of the grace of salvation in the snapshots of each gospel writer. Everything that is needed to be known about the life of Jesus is completed in the gospels. With the addition of the writings of Moses, the Psalms and the Prophets and the books of a new covenant the word of God is completed in sixty-six books declaring the story of one man – Jesus Christ. The Bible from Genesis to the Revelation is about Jesus. He is hoped for in the Old Testament, realized in the gospels and proclaimed in the New Testament. He is the son of God proclaimed through the written word and given to all men so they can read and understand the mind of God. Available in every language and through every medium known to man, the story of Jesus fills the world. What a remarkable story is told of the little baby born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph.

God has made the story of his son available to everyone to read and understand. The most important question to ask is how much do I know about the life of Jesus Christ? We live in a world where we are taught to read at a very early age. The Bible is available without dispute in a land that allows freedom of thought and belief. Recorded in paper form, electronic copy, audio and visual recreations, the Bible is freely given to all who would spend the time to know its content. Churches dot the landscape with religious folk that seem to give their life for a belief in Jesus Christ. Debates are raised to the doctrine of the book. Studies are held to examine closely its content. In the midst of this entire plethora of knowledge about Jesus Christ few people know the story of Jesus. It must sadden the heart of God to see the story of his son go unnoticed. He has afforded every opportunity for man to know the story of his son yet few could recite much about his life. Is that person you? Can you tell the story of Jesus from his birth to his ascension to the Father? The depth of your knowledge can only be measured by the time spent in learning about the man who was God and how God revealed his son to all men through the written word. Who is this Jesus that Gabriel told Joseph would be born? Tell me the story of Jesus. Write on my heart every word.

The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the citadel, that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said: “I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.’ Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” For I was the king’s cupbearer. (Nehemiah 1)

Having The Heart Of Nehemiah

The grandeur and majesty of Jerusalem had long faded into the distant memories of the few who remembered her golden days. Sprinkled among the burnt ruins and rumble of a once proud city, old men stumble along the forgotten streets of the city of God as they suffer the daily task of finding food and shelter. Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon have been laid waste many years before. The once powerful walls that repelled armies are broken down and crumbling timbers scared by fire is all that is left of the mighty gates put in place by the David and Solomon. Under the leadership of Jeshua, Zerubbabel, and Ezra the temple of the Lord had been rebuilt but paled in comparison to its original form. Jerusalem was a city still suffering from the distress and reproach of the many years of neglect. Far away in a land where the remnants of God’s people have dwelled for seven decades a heart is hearing the news of the devastated city. The powerful nation of Babylon is gone and in its place a more benevolent empire of Persians rules the world. Through the grace of God, Cyrus the Persian king allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and the Temple was rebuilt. But the walls of the city were in ruin and the gates nothing more than piles of burned rubble.

It does not seem probable that Nehemiah had visited Jerusalem in his life being born in the captive land and now serving the Persian king as a cupbearer. The son of Hachaliah writes in the month of Chislev in the twentieth year he inquired of the condition of the city of God from one of his brethren, Hanani. The news was not good. Distress filled the hearts of those who remained in Judah and the city was still in shambles. Hanani explained how desperate the news of the people of God was and this greatly disturbed Nehemiah. He sat down and cried. For many days he could not get the news of his brethren in Jerusalem out of his mind and his heart was broken to know of their plight. He fasted and prayed before the Lord begging for mercy upon the people. The prayer of Nehemiah is a contrite plea of repentance and godly sorrow for the sins of the people including himself and his father’s house. Nehemiah pleaded the promises of the Lord reminding God of the covenant made through Moses for the kindness of grace to be given to Israel once again. It is one of the most powerful prayers in holy writ.

The heart of Nehemiah is remarkable for many reasons. Jerusalem was a city destroyed long before Nehemiah was born. He would never have seen the glory of Solomon’s temple or the grandeur of the once noble city of David. All he would had known of Jerusalem would come from his father telling the stories handed down to him through the generations of patriarchs. He would have heard of the Hebrews in Egypt and God’s mighty deliverance through the Red Sea. The wilderness journeys and conquest of Canaan filled the mind of Nehemiah with the might and power of a benevolent God. Hearing how Joshua led the people to conquer the land and for a period ruled over by judges. Then came Saul, David and the golden era of Jerusalem under the hand of Solomon. Nehemiah learned of the civil war that divided the nation as the tribes of Israel separated from the tribes of Judah. He would have learned of the destruction of Jerusalem and the conquest by the Babylonians as they carried away the remnant according to the word of Jehovah. Ezekiel was a prophet among the captives and Nehemiah would have been riveted by his terse message.

The heart of Nehemiah was completely devoted to a city he had never seen or visited but he knew it better than any man. What filled the heart of Nehemiah was his immense love and devotion to the cause of his Lord. Jehovah was the one that sustained the heart of Nehemiah and it pained him greatly to hear of the distress in Jerusalem. At the time he was not in a position to effect any change but he knew he could pray to the Lord and ask forgiveness and blessings for himself and the people. He poured out his heart in great sorrow pleading for the abundant mercy of God to find a way to bless the people. Hearing the news of Jerusalem caused Hachaliah’s son to sit down and weep and mourn for many days. He fasted and prayed for the city of Jerusalem. It would be three or four months before his opportunity came to speak to the king and seek permission to go to Jerusalem. The king agreed to send Nehemiah to Jerusalem to rebuild it and after arriving the cupbearer of the Persian king completed the walls in fifty-two days. All of this began because Nehemiah cared about the work of the Lord. His heart was filled with the love for the cause of Jehovah. It disturbed him greatly when he first heard the news and through the providence of God he led the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem. He had a heart devoted to the Lord.

The heart of Nehemiah is message for the people of God today. Jesus Christ died so that all men could find salvation in His blood. He died and suffered on the cross bringing hope to a world filled with darkness. The church is the kingdom of His Father so that His message could be spread to all corners of the earth. Each first day of the week saints gather to worship, praise, and honor and remember the grace of God. The Bible is a complete book of books outlining the mind of God written in every language known to man. It is available in more forms than ever imagined by man. There is more ease and opportunity to read the Bible, spend time in prayer and share the gospel with neighbors. Transportation is comfortable, warm and cool and convenient. Places of worship have all the modern tools of technology to show the word of God in color with pews padded with comfort and conveniences few have ever experienced. What is missing among the people of God is the heart of Nehemiah. Assembling with the saints is an optional matter of convenience if there is not a conflict. There are no qualms in missing times with brethren for ballgames, work, recreation or visiting company. The modern spirit of devotion to God is from a heart that would never dream of weeping about the condition of God’s people. Fellowship among brethren is rare. Homes are seldom visited by others. Speaking to a friend or neighbor about the gospel is a scarcity among the saved. Churches are dying in many places. And no one is weeping.

Nehemiah was a man of God who wept because of the condition of a city he had never seen. The heart of Nehemiah was filled with the word of God. He asked for God to forgive him and his father for the rebellion of their hearts. His heart took him to Jerusalem and his heart accomplished the incredible task of rebuilding the vast walls of Jerusalem in fifty-two days. Imagine what the church could accomplish today if we possessed the heart of Nehemiah and rolled up our sleeves to rebuild the broken walls of our own neglect in building the walls of the Kingdom of God in our community. Let us begin with a mournful heart and then through fasting and prayer beg God’s forgiveness. Seek from the Lord the opportunity to go teach the gospel and He will make a way. He did for a simple cupbearer and look what he did.

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

The Power Of Example

Faith is not a feeling kept within the reserves of our heart but a manifestation of our trust in God in every part of our lives. Abraham was a man of faith because he was a man of action. David stood in the valley of Elah with the faith and courage to defeat the giant Goliath. Paul dedicated his life to the cross of Jesus Christ as a man moved by the gospel to go into all the world preaching the old redemption story. The early letters of the New Testament admonished their readers to be people of faith in their hearts and also their examples or patterns of life. What is striking about the life of early Christians is the impression they left on a pagan world of their simple love for truth, righteousness, purity and faith. Many Christians lost their lives under the heavy hand of persecution but it was not because they were rebellious to government, criminal or immoral despots bent on destroying the fabric of society. As law abiding citizens who nurtured a community of compassion and kindness, the faith of first century Christians was an example to everyone who saw them. Paul’s admonishment to the young man Timothy was characteristic of how Christians impacted their world. Each generation must learn well the lessons of leaving a mark on the world of their faith in Jesus Christ and trust in the Father.

Paul points out six areas where Timothy can be an example. These are vital to the whole character of the child of God as they examine what people see, what Timothy believes and what God wants of His children. The word ‘example’ is a fascinating word to use because it refers to something like a die or stamp that leaves an impression. John uses the same word when he describes the scars of the nail prints of Jesus. There is an indelible mark that is left. What the world sees in the life of a Christian leaves a lasting impression: good and bad. Influence can never be lost; it can be a bad influence or leave a bad example but a pattern is left on the mind of those who witness the actions of those unconcerned about their example. The power of individual example is when a positive scar is left on those who see the example of Christ. Building faith is learning how to show the image of God in speech, action, thought and motives so that what people see is the glory of God. That is the ultimate goal in life. Being an example to others is the work of chiseling from rough marble an image that looks like God. All of these virtues show the spirit of the man of God.

Building faith is seated in the power of the word. Becoming an example in word is so powerful. The greatest challenge man faces is the ability to control his speech. It is the patient man that will learn to season his tongue with the grace of God so that others can hear the voice of God and not man. Conduct of life is the power of salt or the light on the hill that others will see. The child of God lives in a glass house surrounded by righteous plates of glass that allow the transparency of a holy life to manifest the character of holiness. Being an example in the manner of life shows the ungodly that faith is rooted in the soul of the believer. What people see is what they perceive as the pattern of belief in the person’s conduct. Important to the manner of life is to be an example of love. There is little a child of God can do that is more important than to let the spirit of love shine through their speech and actions. It is a condition of the heart. Love is a building block of faith manifesting itself in every part of life whether in the home, on the job or in the community. The light that shines the brightest is the beacon of God’s love glowing from the example of the believer. Key to the pattern of righteousness is to possess the spirit of God and showing that fidelity as a faithful Christian. People of God are spirit lead and spirit motivated souls that radiate the love of Christ in their lives. Minds that are filled with the Spirit will have hearts that speak the words of the spirit of Christ.

Faith comes from the power of the word of God. Building faith comes from establishing bridges of trust in the promises of God. Knowledge of the will of God increases the faith of those who are seeking to please the Lord. This will also exhort others to be challenged through the knowledge of the word. As an example to others, faith manifests long hours of study, examination, inquiry, truth-seeking and discussing the wisdom of God from holy scrip. Being the example of truth is to fill the mind with His word. As a result of this knowledge life will have fewer complications brought about by the damaging effects of sin. Purity is not a natural response. Having a pure mind is developed through the imprint of the word of God on the heart and seen through the pure acts of love toward others. Paul exhorted Timothy to be an example of purity as he developed all of the characteristics of the word, his conduct, love, spirit and faith. Tying all of these together manifests the whole man of God to live a pure life. The apostle wanted the disciple to be an example, live the life of example and to show the pattern of godliness in every part of life.

Timothy needed to be a pattern that other believers could follow. Being an example to believers is putting the character of life on a higher plane. If all the believers were examples to one another – what a remarkable impact there would be on the community. It is clear the lessons to Timothy are important for all Christians. Let no one despise who we are whether young or old. Each of us must be an example in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith and purity to the believers and to the unbelievers. From these traits of righteousness we will encourage the faithful to remain faithful and exhort the lost to come to Jesus Christ. Seeing Christ live in our lives will build our faith more fully and may help someone find eternal life.

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:23-24)

God Is Seeking

The free will of man has been the mark of creation since Adam was formed from the dust of the earth. It would be easy to view the fate of man with a critical eye of disbelief to suggest God created a being that is not accountable for his actions. After the fall of man Adam blamed the woman given to him by God for his failure. He was unwilling to take responsibility for his actions. His failure was not his own and he sought to place the blame on God for creating the woman who gave him the fruit. The Lord ignored the futile plea of Adam and charged him with rebellion. Placing the trees in the midst of the garden was the wisdom of God to show man he always has a choice. The tree of life would give life and the tree of knowledge would bring death. Eating of the tree of life was a blessing from the hand of the Creator to give man something he could not have otherwise. God made man as a mortal creature but eating of the tree of life would extend his life forever. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was placed in the garden to show the nature of man’s free will. He was told eating of this tree would bring death. There was life in one tree but death in the other. It did not matter whether Adam and Eve understood the full ramifications of eating of the tree of knowledge but if they were willing to trust in God and choose life they would stay away from the tree of knowledge. Because of their rebellion, sin made its first appearance in man.

Made in the image of God, man is unlike the animals. He can make a moral choice. Through the nature of free will, the Lord seeks His creation to worship Him. The defining moment in man’s history has always been whether he is willing to give honor to God in spirit and truth. When Noah preached to the dark world of his day, men had turned away from worshiping the Lord seeking their own pleasures and wisdom. The nation of Israel struggled throughout its history to understand the Lord God wanted their hearts more than their sacrifices. Jesus tells the woman at the well of Jacob that worship to God is not drawn from ceremonial recreations of man’s truth and feelings but the will of God. Worship to God requires truth and it needs the proper heart. The Samaritans had created a form of worship but it was not according to the pattern of God’s will. True worshipers define the choice of man’s free will to trust in the grace of the Lord alone. Worship demands truth and spirit and God will not accept anything less.

Man possesses a free will to choose what he will do. God will not reach down and force man to worship Him or to obey Him. It is dependent upon the heart of man whether he will follow the will of the Lord and serve the Creator in truth and spirit. When Jesus told the woman that His Father was seeking men He illustrated the free will of man to choose and the desire of God to receive those who will seek Him. The Lord God is seeking men to love Him, embrace His mercy, fill their hearts with His presence and willingly serve the commandments of an all-wise Father. The woman at the well learned the lesson found in the Garden of Eden. As Adam and Eve walked among the tapestry of paradise God was seeking for those who would worship Him in spirit and truth. Deceived by the serpent, Eve took of the fruit and gave to her husband. Since that time, God has been seeking, looking, desiring and longing for His creation to come to Him and worship Him. The true worshiper will serve God in truth and spirit. God is seeking. Will He find you?

Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.

For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride serves as their necklace; violence covers them like a garment. Their eyes bulge with abundance; they have more than heart could wish. They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth.

Therefore his people return here, and waters of a full cup are drained by them. And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?” Behold, these are the ungodly, who are always at ease; they increase in riches. Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence. For all day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I had said, “I will speak thus,” behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.

When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me — until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end. Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awakes, so, Lord, when You awake, You shall despise their image. Thus my heart was grieved, and I was vexed in my mind. I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.

Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works. (Psalm 73; A Psalm of Asaph)

Wishing To Be Like Them

Riches have an appeal that tries the souls of men. Fleshly pleasures lure the senses of the carnal appetites to drink deeply in the anticipated enjoyment. Pride exalts the heart to boast of excelling in self-worth and value above others. There seems to abide a glow of unending success in the lives of the wicked as they prosper every day with little consequence to the trials of life. Their prosperity is the jet-set life of living free unbounded by the shackles of restraint with a care-free inexpressible romance of wealth, pleasure and fulfillment. It is easy to look upon this kind of life with an envious heart wishing for a taste of the high-life. The glitter of the stars life is only a façade of the deeper reality shielded by the lights of fame and fortune. What is perceived as a life filled with great strength and virtue is in reality an empty shell of carnal pursuits ending in destruction. The age-old problem of envying the wicked is realized by the great Biblical poet Asaph who bears his soul of his struggles with envying the abundance of the wicked. And he is not alone.

Sin is fun. There is no doubt to this as evidence by its popularity. The wicked live without restraints and free from the awareness of consequences, life is a fast-paced perusal of how far and how fast and how soon can the fun begin. Sin is appealing. By its very nature it tingles the mind and races the heart to engage in the moment of pleasure like a drug high allowing a moments escape from the realities of life. Sin captivates the ears of those who hear the deceptive beauty of the sirens song to drink deeply of its pleasures filling the eyes with a desire needing to be fulfilled. Asaph heard the song and saw the abundance of the wicked and wanted to drink deeply from its well. It is the common lot of all to feel the heart strings being plucked by the passions of the mind and flesh. It takes all the strength of godly character to stop and see the true nature of the lust of wickedness.

Asaph describes his battle after the fact. He knows the only true happiness a man can have is to experience purity of heart. There are many things that try the soul but the end of a thing is where the true value is found. His heart was tempted by the allurements of the unrighteous but he examined it all more clearly when he made one vital decision in his life: he went into the sanctuary of the Lord. It was then he understood the whole picture of sin. What is so alluring about wickedness is there is no need to see what is at the end of the road. It is like jumping out of an airplane and experiencing the thrill of flying through the air. The exhilaration of freedom is intoxicating and without bounds. All is well until the sudden stop at the end. Sin does not come with a parachute. Satan makes man believe that he is a god and he can fly like the birds. For a time man thinks he can do the impossible but all he is doing is falling to his death. In a moment and in the twinkling of the eye, life is filled with pleasures and then life crashes into the earth. Asaph learned from the sanctuary of the Lord to trust in a life that had meaning, purpose and an eternal home.

Being envious of the wicked is not something new under the sun. In a world filled with incredible prosperity where lotteries give millions to so-called lucky recipients and stars and athletes bask in the glow of wealth and popularity, feeble hearts envy for a taste of the life that will only bring heartache, despair and desolation. Asaph knew he was foolish and ignorant. Searching the word of God he gained a deeper appreciation for the character of contentment, joy and trusting in the riches of God’s love and His care. He knew there was no one that could bless him like the Lord who was his strength and his portion forever. This was something that was eternal. Truly God is good.

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)

Cause Of Death

Death certificates list the cause of death so that a record of what brought about the person death can be established. This is helpful for loved ones who want to understand why the person died or even for legal reasons. A certificate is issued as a final statement of the person’s life including names, genders and pertinent information as a final closure of life. No one filled out a death certificate when Jesus died. He was one of three criminals crucified that day and except for a few disciples who clung to the image of their Lord’s death, the world had no concern for the death of the man in the middle. Joseph and Nicodemus delivered the body to the tomb and sealed it. On the first day of the week the tomb was empty. Jesus was brought forth from the grave by the power of His Father and salvation came to all men. The death of Jesus was no longer a matter of a man dying on a cross; it was the eternal plan of God to save His creation from the condemnation of sin.

Men did not write a death certificate for Jesus but the Holy Spirit did. He declared throughout the writings of the New Testament the cause of death for Jesus of Nazareth. No man had died for this reason. Death came in many forms and for many reasons but no one had died for the cause Jesus was pronounced dead for and there would never be another case of death for the same cause. What was the cause of death for the Son of God? The Holy Spirit says it was ungodly men. Jesus’ physical death has been described by the medical world as multifactorial relating primarily to hypovolemic shock, exhaustion asphyxia and perhaps acute heart failure. His reason for dying according to His Father was simple, plain and singular in meaning. Jesus died for the ungodly – He died for you and He died for me.

There is nothing to brag about when we begin to understand the impact of Jesus death. He was not at the wrong place at the wrong time or taken by an out-of-control angry mob who lynched Him by the Romans to satisfy their envious thirst for blood. Pilate was not controlling the destiny of Jesus and the Jews were doing what was eternal planned by the Father. The Son of God had to die and the reason He had to die was because all men were ungodly, unrighteous, and unprofitable who did not understand or cared in the slightest the man in the middle was a sinless human being. And less we think how cruel those people were when they killed Jesus as we look upon them with anger or even hatred; take a good long look in the mirror and see who is responsible for nailing Jesus to the cross. It is so easy to think how good we are because we are good people. We pay our taxes and live a quiet life with little conflict judging all the reprobates and despicable people with harsh judgment. Murderers, homosexuals, pedophiles, immoral and hell-bent party swinging evil people all deserve the wrath of God because they are so sinful. And we spend long hours looking in the mirror of hypocrisy believing Jesus barely broke a nail because of me. How sadly delusional we have become.

Jesus died for the ungodly and my name is at the top of the list. I was an enemy of God, with no strength to save myself, a sinner condemned to the wrath of a vengeful Lord who did not deserve the slightest notice of the All Mighty God. And yet Jesus suffered and died on a cross so that I – ME – MYSELF – could be saved. I am the ungodly one. It was my sins that put Jesus on the cross. He died two thousand years ago but I was the cause of that death. You and I share the guilt of what we have done to the Son of God and we were there when they cried out, “Crucify Him.” We are the ones that nailed His hands and feet to the cross. Our voices raised up to revile Him as He suffered so intensely on that piece of wood. We stood before His cross and watched Him die. Our sinful life kept Him on the cross as His outstretched arms begged the Father to forgive us for what we were doing. It was our ungodliness that walked away from the dead man in the middle unaware on the first day of the week our sins would be redeemed by His blood. Fifty days later the door of grace was opened when three thousand souls knew they had killed the Son of God. They obeyed the call of redemption and found peace in the blood of the Christ. There were many thousand more who did not believe that day and walked away still in their ungodliness. Jesus died for them but they did not care.

Jesus died for the ungodly. That is me and that is you. We do not have to remain in our ungodly condition. Through the blood of the cross Jesus opened a door of grace to save men who will turn from their ungodliness and obey His word. Peter told the multitudes gathered at Pentecost to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. Why? Without the cleansing blood of Jesus found in the waters of baptism there is no salvation. All men are ungodly. Only obedience in the blood of Christ will the heart of ungodliness be cleansed of sin and eternal life promised. Jesus died for you. Do you care?

Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here. (Colossians 4:7-9)

Tychicus – A Trusted Companion

Traveling with the apostle Paul would have been an arduous life with the incredible schedule he kept traveling from place to place preaching the gospel of Christ. There were a number of people traveling with Paul including the historian Luke who on occasion would interject himself into the story of their travels. Barnabas, Silas and Timothy are well known companions but there were so many more than are named with little or no information about them. One fellow-worker with Paul was a man named Tychicus who was from Asia. He is mentioned in Luke’s account of the Acts and Paul refers to Tychicus in his letter to the church at Ephesus and to another fellow worker, Timothy.  As little as we know about the man from Asia there are many things we do know.

Tychicus was a beloved brother of Paul. The apostle cared for all of his brethren but there were those who were dear to him because of their sacrifice in service to him and to the glory of God. Paul had brethren that were close to him and to whom he could rely on for their diligence to help in the work of preaching the gospel. These were important men and women to whom Paul would refresh his spirit in those dark hours on the journey or imprisonments. He knew there were those brethren that cared for his state and to whom he could depend on to encourage him. Tychicus and Paul shared many stories as they traveled around the Roman Empire establishing churches, preaching to lost souls, debating the issues of the day and helping one another keep their spirits alive in the kingdom of Christ. People like Tychicus are important because they are the examples of the Christian faith. They sacrifice themselves for the glory of God and for preachers like Paul, beloved brethren.

Being a fellow minister tells us Tychicus was a man who sharpened the mind of Paul with his love of truth and willingness to teach others about the Christ. Preachers enjoy the company of fellow ministers to share in the dividing of truth and examining texts together for deeper meaning and understanding. It is easy to see Paul going down the road with a host of fellow travelers discussing text from the Prophets or singing Psalms together and discussing the meaning of a certain passage. Commending Tychicus was a statement of endearment to the heart of a fellow minister who reveled in the spirit of those who challenged his faith and brought the challenge of knowledge to the apostle’s mind. Everyone needs someone to sharpen their minds. One of the greatest tools in the arsenal of the church is the time spent with others discussing the text of holy writ and learning from one another deeper truths of God’s grace. Talking with one another about the Bible should be a joy shared by all those who seek to understand the will of God. The joy of helping others learn the truth is a vital part of individual growth.

Finally, Tychicus was a fellow servant in the Lord. The word ‘servant’ should not be lost in the translation of the text. Slavery was common in the days of the early church. Paul exhorted slaves to be obedient to their masters as Christ would have them serve Him above all men. Masters were commanded not to be harsh to their slaves but to treat them with the character of righteousness. As a free man and Roman citizen, Paul often called himself a slave or bond servant. This was a humbling reference to the work of serving the Lord with all diligence. Tychicus was a fellow servant showing that as Paul served in the work of the church so did Tychicus. Being a slave was a hard task. It required following the commands of only one master. The Christian is a slave to the will of God and must follow the admonitions of the only King and Lord Jesus Christ. As a fellow servant of Paul, Tychicus had given his life totally to the work of the Lord. Along with the apostle, the man from Asia gave his life to serve the work of spreading the gospel throughout the world. Paul was encouraged to have men like Tychicus working alongside him and seeing himself as a slave for the cause of Christ. They served the same Master and worked towards the same cause. The life of a Christian must be viewed in terms of slavery. Every child of God is a bond-servant to the will of God. Paul told the saints at Corinth they were bought at a price and their bodies belonged to the Lord. Spiritual slavery is the most comforting relationship known to man. Paul was a slave and he was glad to have Tychicus as a fellow servant working hard in the kingdom of the Lord. We need men like Tychicus in our lives and we need to be like Tychicus in our relationship with others – beloved brother, faithful minister and fellow servant of Jesus Christ.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3)

True Faith Is An Old Grace

Matthew Henry’s Commentary mentions in notes for Hebrews 11 that “true faith is an old grace, and has the best plea to antiquity: it is not a new invention, a modern fancy; it is a grace that has been planted in the soul of man ever since the covenant of grace was published in the world; and it has been practiced from the beginning of the revelation; the eldest and best men that ever were in the world were believers.” There is sage wisdom in seeing faith as the ancient foundation in the lives of those who trusted in God following His will because of their faith in His word. Truth is older than error and all men who have embraced the covenant of faith find their lives richer, truer and at peace. There are untold numbers of saints who through the ages have served the Lord faithfully. They believed in the substance of those things promised by God because of His promises. Through faith they saw what could not be seen holding true to the word of God. Men have always challenged the evidence of God believing the world formed itself without divine intervention. Faith was not enough for the skeptics. Reason and science dissuaded their philosophies to accept human wisdom without seeing the true God and accepting His power of creation. In the midst of generations of unbelievers were the elders of old who lived in faith to serve God faithfully because of their simple trusting faith in the word of God.

Faith for the people of God is the evidence or proof of what they believe. No one has seen God at any time and yet they believe there is a God. The confirmation of His existence is from the believing faith that sees the wonders of creation abounding with the thumbprint of a divine creator. In this evidence comes a heart that seeks to know the character of the divine being. God reveals Himself to seeking men who believe in their hearts that God loves them and cares for them. They embrace the knowledge of the unseen God because they see Him clearly through the eye of faith. Knowledge comes from the overpowering abundance of evidence through the invisible attributes left by the Lord to show all men His power and dominion. Faith is real. It fills the heart with the foundation of truth reassuring the spirit of man that he was made in the image of the heavenly Father. Trust comes from believing in one true God.

The elders of days past believed in God because they built their faith on His promises. They lived with hope because they had something to live for beyond this world. Their eyes saw what other men could not see because it was hidden from their darkened hearts. By faith they understood the worlds were framed by the hand of God and glorified God for His wondrous creation. Faith must have a growing power in the hearts of those who will seek the Lord God. It does not come by itself. Through the evidence of the world and the knowledge through His word, God reveals to man everything he needs to know to be saved. Without faith it is impossible to be pleasing to God. Unless faith is built to trust in the Lord there is danger in being drawn back to perdition. The elders bore witness of their faith in God by seeking to please Him.

Generations will come and go. It is important for each generation to leave a legacy of faith in God so their children will have the faith that is the substance of things hoped for and evidence of what is not seen. The testimonies of the elders of yesterday bear witness to the purpose of faith. It establishes the hearts of men to trust in God as the only Creator, Maker and Savior of the world. With courageous faith worship will be a deeper experience, obedience a natural response and with eternal hope the promises realized in the journeys of life. Faith will reassure the heart of man that there is a better, a heavenly country and God will not be ashamed to be called their God.  Building faith is a daily walk trusting in all the promises of God. True faith is an old grace that is still relevant to all men who seek God now.

Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loose the belt of Orion? Can you bring out Mazzaroth in its season? Or can you guide the Great Bear with its cubs? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you set their dominion over the earth? (Job 38:31-33)

The Majesty Of God In The Heavens

There is nothing more incredible than to stand in the darkness of a moonless night and gaze into the heavens filled with innumerable beacons of light as the tapestry of heaven shows forth the glory of God in the stars. From the moment Adam and Eve first gazed upon the sun, moon and stars, a fascination of the heavenly bodies has captured the imagination of man. It has only been in recent history that man has filled the earth with so much light few people realize there are heavenly bodies swirling around the earth. The time when people gazed into the darkness of space with wonder is less seldom. Yet the majesty of God in the heavens shows forth His handiwork, power and abundant revelation of His nature. Astronomy has always been in the mind of man as he discerns the pattern and flow of the heavenly bodies. Finding patterns and designs among the clusters of stars, names were given to describe the groupings that are still used today. The book of Job predates the days of Moses and probably finds its place among the patriarchs like Noah and Abraham. Regardless of the dating of the book, Job reminds us of how ancient people could see God among the stars and believe there was a God that ruled the universe. Job acknowledged the constellations of the Great Bear, Orion and the Pleiades. These star clusters are some of the more clearly defined patterns in the night sky visible in our day as clearly as the days of Job.

Job had suffered a great deal from the hand of Satan that was tempered by the will of God. He struggled to retain his faith as the bands of persecution increased his desire to know why such tragedies had befallen him. His friends were often the source of his continued despair as he argued with them over his righteousness. At the end of the book it is God who returns to Job with a scathing rebuke of the justice of the Lord to allow such things to happen. Job had declared early on that God had fashioned the stars by His own hand naming the Bear, Orion and the Pleiades and the chambers of the south as proof of God’s majesty. Now the Lord reminds the righteous Job that no one can determine the path of the stars but the Lord God Himself. Binding the seven stars of the Pleiades is impossible for man but the Lord can do it with ease. How can Job loose the belt of Orion suggesting how men saw a man among the constellations of the heavens? The Lord is the one who established the Great Bear with its cubs that refers to the pattern called today Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. God poses the question to Job of the majesty of God in the heavens. How can anyone challenge the one who put these stars in the heavens? The heavens declare the glory and majesty of God.

Man has barely placed a drop in the incredible bucket of God’s universe to understand how grand and majestic the work of His hand is among the stars. He can see the beauty of the darkened heavens glistening with the sprinkles of lights representing billions and trillions of stars so vast they are uncountable. The prophet Isaiah tells us God has a name for every star. What is man that God is mindful of him? It would do well for all men to spend time gazing into the heavens and contemplating the majesty of the Lord God who created all things. It helps to reminds us how small we are. With all the technology man has thrown into space there is nothing that can compare to the canvas God paints each night. One of the great inventions of our time is the International Space Station which at times is visible with the naked eye. If you are able to pick it out of the night sky it will thrill the imagination. Stop for a moment and look at what surrounds the reflective light of ISS and you will see GOD in all His glory. There is no comparison. He is so majestic.

Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.” (Luke 9:46-48)

The Footprints Of A Child

Pride is an insidious demon that causes more problems in the heart because of the elevated sense of self-worth above others. It is a common cause of sin that causes division, destruction and disharmony. The disciples of Jesus argued among themselves who was going to be greatest in the coming kingdom. They failed to appreciate the nature of the kingdom Jesus was telling them about because their hearts could only see the pride of exalting self above their fellow disciples. Someone wanted to be in charge and rule over the others. The disciples objected considering themselves to have greater honor above the one who imposed his will on the group. Who would take the reins of power and which one of the disciples would Jesus choose to sit on the right hand and left? Voices were raised as the argument continued to jockey for places of prominence in a kingdom that would never come. It is clear the disciples were not listening to what Jesus was saying because He never suggested His kingdom was of a worldly nature and the Lord never hinted one disciple would have a position of power over another. They were so filled with pride they could not hear what Jesus was saying.

The master teacher took a little boy and sat him next to Him. He was going to make an eternal lesson not easily forgotten by His disciples. Sitting next to Jesus was a simple little Jewish boy that had no concern for what the disciples were arguing about. His little mind was fully trusting in the care of his parents and the smile that crossed his face showed the innocence of a heart untouched by pride. It must have been exciting to be sitting next to Jesus and to be the center of attention. The disciples looked on with puzzlement. Then the words rang true and clear. Greatness is found in the heart of a child. Men who seek to be honored must first learn to possess the mind of a little boy that Jesus sat next to Him and pointed out to his disciples as proof.

Humility is the character of a child. They do not possess the poisons of a haughty character and prideful spirit. Children are easily forgiving of one another. In their minds they are not seeking the thirst for power or glory. Their hearts are innocent and loving. To be a disciple of Jesus Christ, the heart must learn first to trust in God, honor their fellow brothers and seek only the glory of God. No one is the greatest in the kingdom of God because there is only one who died on a cross. Jesus is the Son of God. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and He is the only one who receives the exaltation of preeminence in the Kingdom. To be great in God’s kingdom the spirit must be the least. Everyone and everything is before the heart of one who submits to the will of the Father. All men are indebted to the sacrifice of the Christ.

The church struggles with those who have not learned the lesson about the little boy sitting next to Jesus. It might do well for a child to be taken into meetings of elders as a reminder of who is greatest. Business meetings, church affairs, disagreements among brethren, family strife and every man should remember the object lesson of Jesus and the little boy. There are no grown-ups in the kingdom of God. All of the hearts of those who are in the family of God should possess the heart of a child. Greatness begins with servitude. To be great in the kingdom of God one must be the least. Jesus left the ultimate example of a child’s heart when He bowed to the will of the Father accepting the sacrifice on the cross. No greater love can be found among men than the gift of life through Jesus Christ. Without the heart of a little child there can be no glory. God has given so much and His Son left an example so that men can walk in His footsteps. If one looks very closely at the footprints of Jesus, they will find He wears the shoes of a child.